After going through a series of lean patch, India's high-profile batter KL Rahul bounced back to form with an impressive half-centurion knock in the T20 World Cup clash against Bangladesh on Wednesday (November 2).
Rahul gave India a perfect start and went on to smash a splendid 50 off 32 which was well complemented by Virat Kohli's unbeaten 64 off 44 to help India post 184/6 in their fourth match of the Super 12 clash at the Adelaide Oval.
Rahul left behind a series of single-digit scores at the ongoing tournament with a brisk half-century. The exquisite timing and elegance that has made him an India regular across formats was on full display in Adelaide and the team management must have felt a sense of relief having thrown their full weight behind the struggling opener.
Three fours and four sublime hits over the boundaries gave an indication Rahul has found his touch. His first fifty of this tournament came with a couple off the 31st delivery faced but he then a top-edge off the next ended his innings on 50.
After his knock Rahul said," Been mixed feeling. I got some good knocks before coming to Australia. But the first three games haven't gone my way. I think I was doing a lot of things right. I wasn't worried about missing out in the last three games. I am happy I got a good innings under my belt. We will have to bowl well with the new ball. Some wickets might put pressure on them."
Kohli, en route to his third half-century of the competition, had couple of useful stands – 67 for second wicket with Rahul and 38 for the third wicket with Suryakumar Yadav (30 off 15 balls).
India skipper Rohit Sharma (2 off 7 balls) couldn’t capitalize on the dropped chance in the first over off Taskin Ahmed’s (0/15 in 4 overs).
Shakib Al Hasan (2/33 in 4 overs) picked wickets of Rahul and Surya but Taskin undoubtedly was the best bowler on view.
If Bangladesh lose the game, it will be because of the cumulative 104 runs in eight overs conceded by left-arm pacer Shoriful Islam (0/57) and Hasan Mahmud (3/47).
Having copped a lot of criticism over the past three games, Rahul got into his element. He played his customary ‘pick-up pull-shot’, which is a whip off the wrists behind square for a six.
